How To Snell A Hook: The Different Ways To Do It

For anglers, the use of certain techniques is essential for a successful catch. Apart from having the necessary fishing gears and tools, the use of knots and other fishing techniques are important. One of the things that you need to learn is how to snell a hook.

By snelling a hook is that you tie the hook to the line by interesting it in a hook eye and wrap it all over the hook shaft. This technique was made for eyeless hooks. Even until today, many are still doing this type of knot with hooks with angled or an offset.

Depending on your preference, there are hooks that are already pre-snelled especially when if you are using monofilament. But if you really want to snell your own hooks when fishing with fluorocarbon or braided line, there are different ways to do it.

How Many Methods To Snell Knot?

You can either snell a hook using the traditional method or the uni-knot. Doing it your own snell knot does not have to be that difficult.

Use and Advantages of Snell Knot

Before going into the step by step instructions of doing a snell knot, it helps that you know its uses and advantages. With a snell knot, it allows the leader to be tied directly to a baited hook. It is aligned with the finishing line. After you wrap a look in the hook, you tighten the knot and snug it completely.

There are several advantages in using the snell knot:

Although it is one of those older knots, it is still considered to be one of the most effective especially if you want a type of knot that will strengthen the line.

This gives you a reliable connection especially if the eye is thicker compared to the line diameter.

If you no longer want to spend the time doing the knot on your own, you always have the option to buy pre-snelled hooks. But if you want to make sure that it is a quality knot, you can do it on your own.

Facts

The traditional and uni snelling knots are not entirely different. It just so happens that the unit snelling knot is designed to give you more flexibility as it is perfect for different fishing circumstances.

Depending on the type of fish and the fishing conditions, you can choose any of the two.

Fishing Piler

Step-By-Step Instructions

Are you ready to try the different ways to snell a hook? Just follow these detailed steps and then try it doing it on your own. It is not as difficult as you think it is.

Let’s go first with the traditional snelling knot. This is one of the most widely used knots. Many prefer to use the traditional knot as this gives you a reliable connection to the line. To make your own, simply follow the step by step guide:

Traditional Snell Knot

Step 1: Pull the line until you get about 15 to 20 cm. Pull it through until the line length is just about the shaft length. Thread it through the eye hook following the direction of the hook.

Step 2: Next is to start forming a loop.

Step 3: Following the same direction in step 1, thread the line’s tag end through the hook eye.

Step 4: Hold the hook eye as well as the line. Hold both of these parts: the line that runs through the eye of the hook and the standing end.

Step 5: Make a noose by wrapping the hook shank using the noose coils. Wrapped the looped portion around the hook about 7 times. You can also wrap it around the hook 8 times. There are some anglers who would prefer to have only 5 turns so it is your call.

Step 6: Shrink the loop by pulling away the standing end.

Step 7: Pull the tag end and the standing end. Make sure that you tighten the knot. You can actually lubricate the line by plunging it in water before you start pulling both the tag and standing end.

Traditional Snell Knot

Apart from the traditional method, there is the unit knot. This is an alternative method that is used if you want a type of knot that you can use for different circumstances.

Uni Knot

The step by step instructions are as follows:

Step 1: Thread the line to the eye of the hook and then down to the hook shank. Run it through until it is the same as the length of the hook shank or even much longer.

Step 2: Form a loop by bending the tag end. Make sure that the standing end is next to the shank when you do this.

Step 3: Thread the line’s tag end around the shank as well as the edge 4 to 6 times. Make sure that you wrap it tight against each other.

Step 4: Start pulling the standing end in order to draw a noose tight.

Step 5: Tighten the knot by pulling the tag end and the standing end. Same with the traditional knot, you can also lubricate the knot by dipping it in water prior to tightening.

If you want the easiest way to do the snell knot, here is another alternative method:

Easy Snell Knot

Step 1: Work with 4 in. of tag and run the tag end to the hook eye following the direction of the hook and making a small loop. Put the tag end of behind the shank.

Step 2: Wrap the tag end around the shank as well as the line from the eye. Do about 5 to 7 wraps.

Step 3: Hold the wraps so that they are in place and tighten it by pulling the tag end. The wraps should be nice and neat on the shank. Pull both really tight.

Watch this video for an easy step by step guide:

Let's Snell Your Own Knot!

With the tips and step by step instructions of snelling a hook, you can now make your own. Whether you want to purchase a pre-snelled hook or you want to do it by yourself, you can easily do it without a sweat.

You will be amazed at how a snell knot can make a difference especially if you want to strengthen the line. It might be a really old knot technique but it is as effective as the other new knot techniques used. Try it for yourself and see if you can make your own.

Do you have additional tips to share with us? We are pleased to hear from you!

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Louella Trump

Hi there, I’m Louella Trump, an adventurous young lady who loves exploring our beautiful nature by traveling and fishing. I write so as to share my passion and experiences with fellow readers who enjoy fishing and traveling as one of their recreational activities. My primary objective in sharing my experiences while traveling and fishing is to basically inspire any like-minded person out there to stop at nothing and leave no stone unturned in ensuring that they explore their passion as much as they can.

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